Terms and Conditions for Commissioned Artwork

Artist: Mika Fowler (operating as Scratchpost Studio) Client: Any individual who commissions artwork or makes a purchase through the Scratchpost Studio website, or directly from Mika Fowler (the Artist). Commissioned Artwork/Commission: The unique service and resulting art piece, primarily in graphite and colored pencil, purchased by the Client from the Artist.

Please read these terms and conditions thoroughly prior to commissioning artwork from Mika Fowler, operating as Scratchpost Studio (referred to as "the Artist" throughout this document). Any payment made towards a Commission signifies that you, the Client, have fully read, understood, and agreed to these terms and conditions.

1. Acceptance of Terms

The Client is not required to provide a formal signature for these terms and conditions to apply. By commissioning the Artist, or by making any payment through the Scratchpost Studio website or directly to the Artist, the Client implicitly confirms they have read, understood, and agreed to abide by these terms.

2. Payment for Commissioned Artwork

Clients may choose to pay for their Commissioned Artwork in full or via an agreed-upon installment plan. All pieces at or below $50 require payment in full before work will begin. For pieces over $50 a minimum deposit of 50% of the total Commissioned Artwork cost is required to secure the Client’s position on the Artist’s creation schedule. Should the Client opt for installments, they agree to complete each payment by the date(s) mutually established between the Artist and Client. Commissioned Artwork will not be shipped or delivered until all outstanding balances have been fully paid by the Client.

3. Payment Methods

The Artist accepts payments for Commissioned Artwork via: Visa (credit and debit cards), MasterCard (credit and debit cards), American Express, Discover, Diner’s Club, JCB, and PayPal, primarily processed through the Scratchpost Studio website. Clients may contact the Artist to inquire about alternative payment arrangements, such as mailed check, Apple Pay, Zelle, or Venmo.

4. Refunds

Refunds may be issued under the following specific circumstances:

  • The Artist finds it necessary to cancel the Commission.

  • The Commissioned Artwork sustains verifiable damage during the shipping process.

5. Returns and Exchanges

Given the bespoke and personalized nature of each Commissioned Artwork, returns and exchanges are generally not accepted, except as explicitly outlined under the "Refunds" section for shipping damage or Artist cancellation.

6. Commission Denial

The Artist reserves the right to decline any Commission request at their sole discretion. If a Client has already submitted a payment for a Commission that is subsequently denied by the Artist, the Artist is fully responsible for issuing a prompt refund of the entire amount paid by the Client.

7. Termination of Commission

The Artist reserves the right to terminate a Commission and cease communication with a Client if deemed necessary. In such instances, the Artist is not obligated to refund any and all payments made towards the Commission, irrespective of whether work on the Commission had commenced.

8. Adjustments to Artwork

While the Artist diligently strives to ensure complete Client satisfaction with each Commissioned Artwork, minor adjustments may occasionally be required. Adjustments are categorized as Minor or Major by the Artist's sole discretion.

  • Minor Adjustments: Most adjustments fall under this category and are completed at no additional charge. An adjustment is classified as Minor if the Client identifies necessary changes based directly on the original reference photographs provided at the time of purchase, or if the Artist inadvertently omitted a detail specifically requested by the Client during the initial agreement.

  • Major Adjustments: If requested changes significantly deviate from the original reference photographs or contradict information provided by the Client at the time of purchase, these may be classified as Major Adjustments. Major adjustments will incur an additional cost. All special requests for the Commissioned Artwork must be clearly communicated and agreed upon at the time of the initial commission to prevent the need for a Major adjustment. No Major adjustment will commence until an additional price is mutually agreed upon by both the Client and the Artist.

9. Pricing

Commission pricing displayed on this website is subject to change at any time without prior notice. However, if a Client is paying for their Commissioned Artwork in installments when a price change takes effect, the Client’s remaining balance will not be affected by the price change. Similarly, if a Client commissions artwork during an active sale period and chooses installments, the agreed-upon discount will be applied to all subsequent installments, regardless of the sale's status when those payments are made.

10. Timeline of Completion

The Artist provides an estimated date or date range for the completion of each Commissioned Artwork. The Client acknowledges that this provided timeline is an estimation and not a guarantee. The actual date of completion may vary from the original estimation. The Artist is responsible for communicating any significant delays to the Client if their Commissioned Artwork is not completed within the originally estimated timeframe.

11. Shipping

  • Shipping within the United States:

    • Commissioned Artworks measuring 20”x24” or smaller are typically shipped via USPS Priority Mail.

    • Any Commissioned Artwork larger than 20”x24” may be shipped through UPS or FedEx, as determined by the Artist.

    • Standard US shipping is complimentary. Should the Client request an alternative shipping provider, they will be responsible for paying any difference in cost.

    • The Artist is not responsible for delays in shipping once the Commissioned Artwork has been transferred to the possession of the shipping carrier.

  • Shipping to Other Countries (International):

    • International shipping can typically be arranged upon request.

    • The Client will be solely responsible for ALL international shipping costs, which include, but are not limited to: postage fees, customs taxes, duties, and any additional charges imposed by the destination country. These costs will vary based on location.

    • The Client must remit the full cost of international postage to the Artist prior to the shipment of the Commissioned Artwork.

12. Postal Damage and Loss

The Artist exercises extreme care in packaging each Commissioned Artwork to prevent damage during transit. Any damage or loss that occurs during shipping is not the fault of the Artist. All Commissioned Artworks are insured through the chosen shipping provider.

  • Eligibility for Refund Due to Damage: A Client may be eligible to receive a full refund for their Commissioned Artwork if it is demonstrably damaged upon receipt. To qualify, the Client must:

    1. Take clear photographs of the condition of the package as it was received (before opening, if possible, and showing damage to packaging).

    2. Take clear photographs of the damaged artwork itself.

    3. Contact the Artist with these photographs and details within 48 hours of delivery.

  • Claims Process: The Artist will then initiate a claim with the shipping provider to seek compensation for the cost of the Commission. If a refund is granted to the Artist by the shipping provider, the Artist commits to giving the Client a full refund for the Commission.

  • Note: There have been no occurrences of shipping damage at the time of this document's last revision (August, 2025).

13. Use of Artwork (Copyright)

The copyright of all Commissioned Artwork, including pieces created digitally or in graphite or in colored pencil, remains perpetually with Mika Fowler (the Artist) under all circumstances. The Artist retains the full right to use images of the Commissioned Artwork for any purpose, including but not limited to, portfolio display, website promotion, social media, and advertising.

  • The Client may only use the Commissioned Artwork for personal display or enjoyment.

  • The Client may post images of their Commissioned Artwork to social media platforms, provided that clear and visible credit is given to "Scratchpost Studio" or "Mika Fowler."

  • The Client is strictly prohibited from making prints, reproductions, or copies of their Commissioned Artwork without explicit written permission from the Artist.

  • The Client may not profit commercially from their Commissioned Artwork in any way.

14. Digital Image Representation

Digital images of Commissioned Artwork displayed on the Artist’s website or transmitted electronically to the Client may not perfectly replicate the original piece’s colors or nuances. This is due to inherent differences in individual screen calibrations, color profiles, and lighting conditions. The Artist makes every reasonable effort to display each Commissioned Artwork as accurately as possible.

15. Changes to These Terms and Conditions

The Artist reserves the right to make changes, updates, or revisions to these Terms and Conditions at any time. The date of the last revision will be clearly displayed at the end of this document.

These Terms and Conditions were last revised on: [Insert Current Date - e.g., August 4, 2025]